For all the quality that Juventus boast in midfield, arguably the most complete of all of their players is Chilean, Arturo Vidal. Louis van Gaal has admitted that Vidal was a player he ‘always wanted to buy’, and he is prepared to closely monitor the man whom his Dutch side will come up against in Brazil. And Vidal is undoubtedly a player who could help lift Manchester United from the doldrums they have been stuck in all season.

He largely performs a box-to-box role for Juventus, and bagged an impressive 18 goals in 45 appearances this season. His goals aren’t just confined to his club side, as Vidal was Chile’s joint-top scorer in World Cup qualification.

Vidal is the near-perfect combination of brawn and brilliance. He has all the technical attributes required to shine in any side; he can pass short and long, play as a ball-winner, carry the ball out of the midfield, take deadly set-pieces. Coupled with all this, he has a determination and hunger which has seen him nicknamed ‘Gladiator’. While his temperament may be suspect at times, he has the spirit of a warrior.

Chile are widely considered as one of the dark horses of the tournament, and with Vidal’s quality at the heart of midfield, overcoming them will be a tough ask for even the most skilful of sides.

Manchester United have seriously lacked an all-rounder in midfield since the absence of Paul Scholes. Vidal would solve this problem. He may cost £40-odd million, but he is worth every penny. Van Gaal knows his qualities, and if he shells out the cash, United will have bagged themselves a truly world-class performer.